Rapture Rapes the Muses
of Montreal Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You hit me so hard like a Wong Kar Wai beginning
I'm exploding in smiles my equilibrium is spinning

Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

You keep me lit like antediluvian Troy
But one always reveres what ones bound to destroy

Gloomy Erebus is an anathema to me
All of them dancing like flames and the sad enmity
I wonder if I understand.
Am I too young to understand?

Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

Overall Meaning

The first two lines of of Montreal's song "Rapture Rapes the Muses" convey a strong and vivid image of a moment that is both exciting and disorienting. The reference to filmmaker Wong Kar Wai suggests a visually stunning scene, perhaps one of a fast-paced and chaotic cityscape. The ensuing explosion and spinning of the singer's equilibrium indicates the overwhelming impact of this experience on their emotions and perspective. The use of the verb "rapes" in the title is a provocative choice that echoes the intensity and violation of this sensory overload.


The chorus repeats the phrase "Rapture rapes the muses" while offering a contrasting sense of confusion and loss. The implication is that this intense moment of artistic inspiration or romantic attraction has negative consequences that may outweigh its initial thrill. The final stanza introduces the idea of age and understanding, suggesting that the singer may be too young to fully grasp the complexity and consequences of their desires.


This song can be interpreted in many ways, but a common reading is that it reflects the price one pays for intense creative inspiration or passionate romance. The "muses" are often associated with artistic inspiration, but here they are personified and even brutalized by the rapturous experience. The metaphor of rape conveys a sense of violation and powerlessness, and the confusion and void that follow suggest a loss of agency or identity.


Line by Line Meaning

You hit me so hard like a Wong Kar Wai beginning
Your impact on me is intense, like the opening of a Wong Kar Wai film


I'm exploding in smiles my equilibrium is spinning
I'm overwhelmed with joy, to the point where I'm unbalanced


Rapture rapes the muses
Intense pleasure overpowers artistic inspiration


But you don't notice that it's kissing you
You're unaware of how pleasure is negatively affecting creativity


And the void that's left confuses
The emptiness that results from this disconnect is perplexing


It's confusing
The situation is difficult to understand or navigate


You keep me lit like antediluvian Troy
You ignite me like the ancient city of Troy


But one always reveres what ones bound to destroy
One tends to feel reverence for what they know will eventually cause their downfall


Gloomy Erebus is an anathema to me
I don't want to be associated with the darkness of the underworld


All of them dancing like flames and the sad enmity
Everyone seems to be tumultuously caught up in their own conflicts and passions


I wonder if I understand.
I question whether I fully comprehend the situation


Am I too young to understand?
Maybe I'm too inexperienced to interpret this accurately




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEVIN BARNES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Joseph Jaffe

You hit me so hard like a Wong Kar Wai beginning
I'm exploding in smiles my equilibrium is spinning
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
You keep me lit like antediluvian Troy
But one always reveres what ones bound to destroy
Gloomy Erebus is an anathema to me
All of them dancing like flames and the sad enmity
I wonder if I understand.
Am I too young to understand?
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing



All comments from YouTube:

Joseph Jaffe

You hit me so hard like a Wong Kar Wai beginning
I'm exploding in smiles my equilibrium is spinning
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
You keep me lit like antediluvian Troy
But one always reveres what ones bound to destroy
Gloomy Erebus is an anathema to me
All of them dancing like flames and the sad enmity
I wonder if I understand.
Am I too young to understand?
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing
Rapture rapes the muses
But you don't notice that it's kissing you
Rapture rapes the muses
And the void that's left confuses
It's confusing

WeeWeeJumbo

Incredibly strong melodic structure and wild vocals, this band is hidden fuckin' treasure. Perfect alt-pop.

Nikolai Bullcry

Every time I come back to this album, it makes me happy.

Cheetos Christ

still im kinda glad of montreal isn't too mainstream, it's a comfy band

Cheetos Christ

@Giselle yeah I know 😂

Giselle

ugh, get over yourself 😁🤣

Andrew Pires

I know right? Like theyre big and influential enough to be relevant but not well known enough to have obnoxious fans/overplayed songs etc. lmao

Zehnuss

Such a great song from an epic album

ZetumHarp

how is this band not bigger? come on!

PugJuggler

love this song

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